South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1887-10-21
A NOBLE REVENGE.
BY JENNIE d. BURTON.

Winter was here and with its iciest
throe sheeted everything by fall of
slect; the north wind held its SWAY, and
tore with bitter gusts through the storm
driven streets. Steps aud pavements
were traps for the unwary; telegraph
and telephone wires were down; even
staunch poles had been snapped sheer
off between the weight of the ice and
the force of the wind. But the sun
came out the next morning clear and
bright, flashing In rainbow tints on a
crystal world and lineman who was
out on the roof OF n sevcn-story building,
creeping down towards the caves after n
refractory wire, caught the dazzle in his
eyes, slipped and fell, but made des-
pcrate clutch with his numbcd hands at
the eavcstrough, and hung suspended
by that frAiI support which might give
way any instant beneath his weight.
People in the street below cried out
rs they caught sight of his perilous
position.
ooh, he'll be down in a minute"
"He can't draw himself up, for see,
it's breaking away now"
"No, it holds yet. Can't something
be done for him."
While they gazed upward, dazed
with horror and feeling the utter help
l,ssness of any effort to reach him in
time, second lincman appeared on the
roof, sent there, il would seem, to s,ist
the other. 1t only required an instant
to take in the situation-thc cracking,
swaying caves-trough, the desperately
gripping hands, the CHASTITY set face of
the doomed man, who swung over that
deadly abyss.
"Savc him. Save him. came up from
the street below.
Only the meaning of the CRY reached
the man on the roof, so loud and strong
was the wind which blew there. but he
answered as if nc had heard it:
'fll try. faint no diff renee to me
If It's Steve Brady. Nay be as wen
both go down; but | reckon we've about
ekil chances"
lie was busy fastening rope to the
nearest chimney as he spoke. 1t was not
long rope, but it would reach beyon
the edge of the roof, and he made
moose in the end of it, which he placed
around his body beneath the arms; then
taking coil Of wire which he carried
Tor repairing purposes from his pouch,
he piled it to the rope few feet farther
mp, aud dropping upon hands and knees.
made his way to the caves.
Hold fast, Steve" he called. en-.
couragingly; I'm comm to help We.
Hang on till / get n turn of the wire
around you-good Lord man; don't
you wriggle, or you're a gone one in
spite Of mc"'
But in the same breath with the warn
ing there was convulsve effort on tho
part OF the suspended man, tho parting
caves trough slipped from his rigid fin
gers, he was topping backward, falling
into space, the earth, the sky, the face
OF the man above him all blending in
one chaotic picture before his dcspairinp
sight, yet he did not fall; the ann Of
John Harmon, who had slipped like q
flash over the edge, was about him hold
ing him up, while he adiured
Get hold, get a hold, for Gods
sake. Ifyou vally your life and mine,
keep yo1r wits about you, Steve Brady.
Now, then, climb up the rope. I'll bear
the strain, think, and you can get on
the roof from my shoulders. Stcady;so."
There was moment Of suspense. the
strands OF the strainiug rope were cut
ting on the edge Of the states, but the
wire which John had piled to it higher
up divided the weight and enabled first
ono, then the other 10 climb to the roof
They stood there painting with cxcr-
ton, looking into each others eyes.
81 owe my life to YOU, said Brady.
"but ] wish / didn't | wish I'd
dropped down into the street afore
owed it to you"
The cause Of the cnmity between
themi The usual causc-only girl.
Not even pretty girl as the world saw
her, but the one on whom each Of these
men had set his heart. There was some
thing Of the coquette in her, or else she
bad not yet learned her own mind. for
she had given encouragement to each,
OF nc thought 50, which amounted to
the same.
The bitterness Of feeling that, out o:
common gratitude, he ought to stand